La Liga

At the outset, it should be noted that this is not a debate of academic proportions. It is no research on a long time scale. But Cristiano Ronaldo failed to find the net against Valencia in Real Madrid's first Liga outing. Should it be a cause for concer? There is not much to be concerned about considering only one game has been played. But such has been the level of Ronaldo's scoring output that even one barren game is bound to raise a lot of questions on everyone's mind.

Honestly, the debate is not a substantive one. Certain observations should be made in this regard though. Gonzalo Higuain score the only goal, albeit with some difficulty, as Madrid drew Valencia 1-1 at Santiago Bernabeu. On statistics, Real Madrid caused Valencia numerous problems and if anyone other than Diego Alves had in Valencia goal, we might be reading about a Madrid goalfest. Such was the alacrity of Madrid's attackers that only an inspired Alves could keep the score at level pegging.

Spanish Primera Liga witnessed a minor blip in Barcelona's chronic dominance last season. A minor blip because Barcelona failed to win the Liga and Real Madrid exhibited unsual character in the face of mighty Catalans. Such has been the influence that Barcelona exercise on the Liga trophy that even the Madrid faithful felt compelled to show exemplary elation at their success, earned of course with gritty performances and lots of goals over the course of the season. The interesting sub-plot of goal scoring titans, Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo continued and Ronaldo managed to edge the Argentine maestro by the finest of margins.